Hedgehog
The most common pet species of hedgehog are
hybrids of the white-bellied hedgehog or
four-toed hedgehog (
Atelerix albiventris) and the
Algerian hedgehog (
A. algirus). It is smaller than the European hedgehog, and thus is sometimes called African pygmy hedgehog. Other species kept as pets are the
Egyptian long-eared hedgehog (
Hemiechinus auritus auritus) and the
Indian long-eared hedgehog (
H. collaris).
All three species prefer a warm climate (above 72°F/22°C) and do not hibernate. Attempts to hibernate are commonly fatal. They eat an insectivore diet. Commonly, this is replaced with catfood and ferret food and is supplemented by insects and other small animals.
It is illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet in some
U.S. states and some Canadian municipalities, and breeding licenses are required. No such restrictions exist in most European countries.
The purchase of domesticated hedgehogs has seen a considerable increase in the last few years due to their apparently innocent and playful looks. Hedgehogs are difficult to maintain as pets due to their low resistance to climate and temperature changes, and their inability to adapt to enclosed environments.
|
Hedgehogs are insectivorous |
Hedgehogs are a powerful form of
pest control. A single hedgehog can keep an average garden free of pests by eating up to 200 grams of insects each night. Therefore, it is common throughout
England to see people attempting to lure hedgehogs into their yards with treats and hedgehog-sized holes in their fences.
One problem with using hedgehogs for garden pest control is the use of chemical insecticide. While the hedgehog is immune to most poisons, it is not immune to them when ingesting insects full of the poison. This causes many hedgehog deaths where pet hedgehogs eat contaminated bugs inside the house.
In areas where hedgehogs have been introduced, such as
New Zealand and the islands of
Scotland, the hedgehog itself has become a pest. In New Zealand it causes immense damage to native species including
insects,
snails and ground-nesting birds, particularly shore birds. As with many introduced animals, it lacks natural predators. With overpopulation, it kills off more insects than initially intended and expands its diet to include things such as snails, worms, and the eggs of wading birds. Attempts to
eliminate hedgehogs from bird colonies on the Scottish islands of
North Uist and
Benbecula in the
Outer Hebrides have met with considerable opposition.
There are many diseases common to hedgehogs, mostly fatal. These include
cancer,
fatty liver disease,
cardiovascular disease, and
wobbly hedgehog syndrome.
Cancer is very common in hedgehogs. The most common is
squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell spreads quickly from the bone to the organs in hedgehogs, unlike in humans. Surgery to remove the tumors is rare because it would result in removing too much bone structure.
Fatty liver disease is believed by many to be caused by bad diet. Hedgehogs will eagerly eat foods that are high in fat and sugar. Having a metabolism designed for low-fat, protein-rich insects, this leads to common problems of obesity. Fatty liver disease is one sign, heart disease is another.
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome is very similar to
multiple sclerosis in humans. The hedgehog slowly loses muscle control. Initially, it wobbles when attempting to stand still. Given time, the hedgehog loses all muscle control, including control of the lungs and heart. Vitamin E has been shown to delay the deterioration, but it is very temporary as a higher and higher dose is required.
Hedgehogs are a food source in many cultures. A common recipe, often attributed to the
Roma people, is to bake a hedgehog that has been covered in plaster or clay. When the hedgehog is taken out of the oven, the plaster is smashed, also bringing down the bones and spikes of the hedgehog, leaving only the meat.
*The name 'hedgehog' came into use around the year 1450, derived from the middle English word 'heyghoge'. Other folk names include '
urchin', 'hedgepig' and 'furze-pig'.
*Episode 4 of
Neon Genesis Evangelion is called
Hedgehog's Dilemma referring to Shinji's problem of letting people get too emotionally close to him.
*The only colony of
Blonde hedgehogs in the world can be found on the
Channel Island of
Alderney.
*In the book
The Once and Future King Young Wart attempts to eat a hedgehog after being turned into a badger.
*
Hedgehogs in culture*
Hedgehog's dilemma*
Sonic the Hedgehog*
Echidnas (members of the order
Monotremata) are similar to hedgehogs
Subfamily
Erinaceinae (
Hedgehogs)
*Genus
Atelerix (African hedgehogs)
**
Four-toed Hedgehog (
Atelerix albiventris)
**
North African Hedgehog (
Atelerix algirus)
**
Southern African Hedgehog (
Atelerix frontalis)
**
Somali Hedgehog (
Atelerix sclateri)
*Genus
Erinaceus (Woodland hedgehogs)
**
Amur Hedgehog (
Erinaceus amurensis)
***
Korean hedgehog (
Erinaceus amurensis dealbatus)
**
Eastern European Hedgehog (
Erinaceus concolor)
**
Western European Hedgehog (
Erinaceus europaeus)
*Genus
Hemiechinus (Steppe hedgehogs, Desert hedgehogs)
**
Desert Hedgehog (
Hemiechinus aethiopicus)
**
Long-eared Hedgehog (
Hemiechinus auritus)
***
Afghan Hedgehog (
Hemiechinus auritus megalotis)
**
Indian Long-eared Hedgehog (
Hemiechinus collaris)
**
Brandt's Hedgehog (
Hemiechinus hypomelas)
**
Indian Hedgehog (
Hemiechinus micropus)
**
Bare-bellied Hedgehog (
Hemiechinus nudiventris)
*Genus
Mesechinus (Steppe hedgehogs)
**
Daurian Hedgehog (
Mesechinus dauuricus)
**
Hugh's Hedgehog (
Mesechinus hughi)
Hedgehog information
*
The Canadian Hedgehog Association*
DMOZ Hedgehogs (Pets)*
DMOZ Hedgehogs (Species)*
Finnish Hedgehog Association*
Hedgehog Central*
Hedgehog reference at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology*
Hedgehog Welfare Society*
Hedgehog World*
Hedgies.com*
The International Hedgehog Association*
The International Hedgehog Registry*
UK Mammal Society fact sheet - European Hedgehog*
USENET Hedgehog FAQ*
St. Tiggywinkles Rehabilitation FacilityHedgehog breeders/supplies
*
Daisy Meadows Hedgehogs*
Goat Creek Ranch Hedgehogs*
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs*
Hawthorn Rats & Hedgehogs*
Hedgehog Valley*
La Hérisonnière de la Mauricie*
Hungry Hedgehog*
PogStar Hedgehogs*
Sophie Hannan*
Hedgeboken Hedgehogs*
Terrapin Hedgehogs
